In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Iraqi government and prevention of the Imam's political activities
As a result of pressure from the Iranian government, Iraq asked us to back down somewhat and to put an end to our activities against Iran. I refused this request. Then they sent an official notice to me via the Security Organization of Najaf which I took from them and put to one side I did not reply to the notice but instead continued with my activities. It was about a year later that their relentless pursuit intensified, that being the time when we had become increasingly active and when, in addition to making statements and engaging in other activities, I had also begun to give interviews to Le Monde and other foreign newspapers. «1» This time the head of Public Security «2» came to see me in person. He reiterated former requests, saying something to the effect that I could engage in whatever activities I chose but that I was not to give interviews. This was of no concern to me for I was not used to giving interviews anyway. I therefore gave him no reply. Later however, I gave yet another interview with some people who had come from France, following which the latter were detained by the Iraqis as they were leaving my house. «3» After this it was stressed that I was to treat Iraq as my own home- to use their own words- and that I was to live as I pleased, but I was not to engage in political activities. The gist of their argument was that a clergyman should confine himself to preaching and to discussing religious questions, to which I replied:" Islam is not separate from politics. Islam is not like religions found elsewhere, it is not like other religions which confine themselves to prayer and worship. In Islam, politics is seen in the same light as other religious precepts. Hence, I shall continue to interfere in political affairs; I shall both issue statements and record my messages on cassette tapes; and should I deem it necessary, I shall say what I have to say from the pulpit for this is a religious duty of mine." They then said:" But we have certain commitments toward the Iranian government in the light of which we cannot allow this kind of thing to take place." I responded by saying something like:" That may well be so, but I too have certain commitments toward Islam and toward the Iranian nation; and I too am unable to ignore these commitments." Our discussion ended with them again saying that I was not to engage in political activities, and with me saying that I had every intention of continuing to be engaged in such activities. They then placed me under house arrest. It wasn't that they told me not to leave my home of course, but it was a case of them preventing anyone from entering it. Those Iranians who used to visit me in my home were now prevented from doing so, and on one day in particular all but two or three people from a group of religious students were refused permission to see me. Thus throughout this period I did not leave my home, «4» and this gave rise to certain incidents in Iran of which you are all aware. Then I realized that were I to remain at home and do nothing, and were I to confine my activities to studying and then this would be against my principles.
Silence, contrary to conscience and faith
Many lives have now been lost in Iran. They have killed both children and adults, and they continue to do so, on a daily basis. This kind of thing is also going on now in the universities. The newspapers in Iran tell of how, either yesterday or the day before, eighty-odd, eighty-five people were wounded in the university. It is plain to see what went on- the Iranian government has given the go-ahead and so many have been killed as a result. «5» They are attacking this nation tooth and nail. Not only do they take whatever the people of this nation possess away from them, they are now taking away their lives too. How can we sit by and watch while things like this are taking place? How can our consciences permit us, how can our faith permit us to sit by and watch while they gun down and kill the children of Islam? We shall make our voices heard as much as we possibly can, as much as the various governments allow us to, in order to tell the world of the kind of situation that prevails in Iran.
Fruitlessness of a military government
I doubt whether any other nation is like that of Iran at the present time, for right now Iran is being governed throughout by martial law. Martial law has been enforced in all the major Iranian cities- that is in about twelve cities which constitute the principal cities of the country- and it is also in force elsewhere in Iran, meaning that the Iranian military is now running the country. «6» And now, according to the regime, a member of the military is to become the Prime Minister. They say that Fereidun Jam «7» is to become Prime Minister. He too is a member of the armed forces. But no matter what they do, these people (the regime) can no longer survive. The Shah can no longer survive, other than under the military flag or behind the bayonets of the military- a military which itself is being held at the point of the bayonets of America. Who knows whether the Iranian army would in fact continue to obey the regime as it now does if it weren't for the American bayonet. The army has also now awakened; it too is comprised of human beings; it too is Iranian; it too can see what is going on in Iran. Not a day goes by without the people showing their discontent in some city or other, upon which they are immediately beaten and killed or whatever.
Human rights claims, tool with which a weak nation is plundered
But in spite of the present state of Iran, despite the turbulent situation which now prevails in this country, these great nation states make claim to being philanthropists! They claim to support human rights! This is sheer nonsense. These things which they have set up for the sake of human rights, security and so on, neither provide security for mankind nor do they protect their rights. The whole set-up is to enable them to devour these weaker nations. All of the efforts which are seen to be made by these `superpowers' toward the protection of human rights etc., are but a cover-up; they form part of an organized plan- the plan being for these `superpowers' to devour the Eastern countries, the weaker countries.
There are many reserves in the East. «8» There are many oil reserves in the East; in Kuwait for example, «9» or the Hijaz, «10» or in Iran. «11» Yes, here the reserves are so great that all of these foreigners have their eyes fixed on them, and they are just being allowed to take them away free of charge. Do you imagine that America gives Iran money for these reserves? Indeed not; instead it establishes a military base for itself there and these weapons which they claim to have sold to Iran have in fact been given in exchange for oil. They are the weapons which America itself wants to have in Iran along with its military bases, so that it can ensure that the Soviet Union never launches an attack. It is not a case of them having given us something. This is all part of a game they are playing with us.
The true colors of socialists and communists
These `superpowers' which go by different names- one being called `communist', another `communist China', yet another being called `socialist' whatever, and again others being known as some `-ist' or other- these are all out to devour us irrespective of their names. At least four thousand were killed during the wholesale massacre which took place in Tehran «12»- one report put this figure at twenty thousand but this is an exaggeration, the actual figure being four thousand; four thousand is the figure which is repeatedly quoted and which has been said to agree with the number of burials performed at that time at Tehran's cemetery. «13» Yet you all saw how, on that very same day, as these very murders were being committed, the leader of `communist' China- a China which is said to be `communist', which supposedly advocates fairness with the people and so on, and which some of our youngsters mistakenly regard as worthy of emulation- came to Iran and shook hands with this tyrant, the Shah. He never uttered a word about what was going on, but instead offered the Shah his support. «14» He didn't even bother to ask why on earth the Shah was killing these people or what they had done to deserve this. What they had in fact done was to say that they want freedom and to demand other human rights. They had said that they want to be free; their cry was for freedom and independence. But nevertheless, this Chinese Premier didn't even bother to point out that these were human beings that were being killed; nor did he take the trouble to ask why they were being treated so. They are now killing small children, primary school children; it is as if adults were no longer within their reach. The news of such occurrences reaches us here on a daily basis. Even within the last two or three days they killed a number of small primary school children somewhere- twelve small boys and girls were killed by them on this occasion. «15» Yet this person never said a thing to that vicious individual (the Shah) to ask what on earth he was doing. Instead he came and shook hands with him. The two greeted each other with open arms, and later the Chinese leader departed, laughing as he did so at the poor masses of people he was leaving behind him in the troubled country of Iran. Our youngsters are mistaken; they are making a grave mistake in believing that these communist people can serve them in any way. «16» As for those who sit in the Kremlin, their country actually expressed its support for the Shah in the Russian press «17» with regard to Khordad 15- the day that 15,000 Iranian people were killed. And it has now expressed support for the Shah again, despite all the killings which take place in some Iranian city or other each day. These (imperialist powers) only do these things because one of them wants Iran's gas, and another wants its oil: one is taking the country's gas, and the other its oil. They are all trying to keep this weak nation in a state of backwardness; they are trying to ensure that it does not wake up. Their propagandists and the propaganda disseminated by them always carry a message which is anti-religion and anti-clergy in an attempt to alienate the people from these two forces. They want to drive a wedge both between the people and religious faith, and between the people and the clergy, leaving the people to quarrel among themselves while they sit back and make the most of the situation. We are to lose lives while Muhammad Rida Khan is to capitalize from the situation: his superiors having even more to gain than himself from this state of affairs.
The meaning of `freedom' and `progressive society' from Carter's view
What is this nation left with? What remains for the people other than suppression and military rule; other than martial law; other than the beating and killing of whoever ventures out of his home? The situation in which Iran now finds itself is an exceptional situation. Just consider whether a similar situation exists at all anywhere else in the world. Is there anywhere else in the world where martial law is in force throughout the entire country; a martial law which cannot be lifted? Indeed, they can't lift martial law in Iran even if they want to, because the people are in a defiant state; they are standing up and challenging the regime. Even now, while martial law is in force they are standing their ground. But just what is it they are shouting as they stand in confrontation? Are they saying that which Mr. Carter said yesterday? Mr. Carter had said that the Shah is only too willing to grant freedom to the people; that he wants to grant absolute freedom and create a progressive country, a progressive society, but that the people of Iran oppose this! «18» So it is a case of the people having risen up in opposition because they don't want freedom and the Shah wanting to force it upon them at bayonet-point! (Laughter from the audience). Bayonets are being used to bludgeon people into accepting freedom! People don't want a `progressive' society, so the bayonet has come and said:" You have to want it!" One is made to wonder about this Mr. Carter. Does he know no better than this? Or is this the best trick he can pull? Is he trying to fool someone? Who on earth is he trying to fool? Perhaps he wants to fool those who are oblivious of the situation in Iran, those who are unaware of what is going on there, because both you and I are fully aware of what is presently going on in the country, and we know only too well what the people want and what they are shouting out.
Land reforms, the foundation of poverty and homelessness
The people are shouting:" We want our oil to be ours for goodness sake; we want our country's agriculture to return to what it once was." They have truly made a mess of our agriculture. These `land reforms' which were proposed by the gentleman himself (the Shah) and about which he spoke so grandiloquently, were `land reforms' which were to be implemented in accordance with the orders of the American government. These reforms were to take place in order to create a market in which the Americans could sell their goods: that is to say our agriculture was to fall into ruin, rendering us dependent upon others for our agricultural needs. «19» And sure enough, today we can see how whatever we want has to come from abroad. This is the state to which our agriculture has been reduced; and that is what they did to it for it to end up this way i.e. they introduced `land reforms. ' Naturally, people poured into the cities; those poor farmers who could no longer live there on the land poured into the cities and into Tehran. «20» Many shanty towns can now be seen in Tehran- between 30 and 40, according to the report sent to me- which consist of homes made from mud, homes which have nothing; or of small tents in each of which ten family members have to live throughout the bitter cold winter. These homes have no water. They are situated in a deep pit from where some fifty to sixty steps have to be climbed in order to reach the street's surface. Once the surface has been reached and water has been collected, it then has to be taken all the way back down these steps again to be given to the children. But why have things turned out this way? It is because he (the Shah) ordered for `land reforms' to be carried out! It was these land reforms which caused the peasants' undoing and which consequently forced them to make for the towns. Thus they indeed came to the towns and this is the result. Those poor souls ended up living like this and our agriculture ended up in ruins. According to experts and those who have made the necessary calculations, Iran, which was once an important agricultural centre whose province of Azerbaijan alone probably produced enough agricultural produce to meet the needs of the entire nation, the country's remaining produce having to be exported, now has only enough agricultural produce to meet domestic demand for a thirty-three-day period, its remaining needs having to be brought in from abroad!
The nation's protest against the Shah and America
Not surprisingly, the Iranian people united in protest. All Iranians are now expressing discontent and strike action is being taken nationwide. If the military and this military law were removed, the people would dispose of this regime in no time, because they have seen its evilness. Can the case really be that they want to give these people freedom, but it is the people who do not like to live in comfort?! Don't these people like to have a good life?! Do they insist on having to sleep in holes beneath the ground?! Or is it in fact that these poor people can see how their wealth is being taken away while they are having to live beneath the ground, and it is to this situation that they object? Yes, this is what they are in fact shouting. So look at what Mr. Carter has said and look at what the people are saying. The people are asking why their oil is being taken away, and free of charge at that. They (the imperialists ) take away our oil and the gentlemen here say that they have bought weapons in its stead. But what do you want with weapons? The weapons they have bought are weapons with which Iran is unfamiliar. Iran cannot put these weapons into use. These things which the imperialists have manufactured can only be operated by the fiends themselves; those in Iran don't know how to operate them. Foreign advisers came to Iran to establish a presence there. They have gone to turn our regime into a parasitic regime, which indeed it now is, and to study better ways to partake of this prize catch and to keep things the way they are. They want to maintain the status quo and for the Iranian nation to say nothing. A nation that speaks up is an uncivilized nation! The nation that cries out:" For heavens sake, allow us to be free" is an uncivilized nation! A nation that cries out:" Don't devour our wealth" is an uncivilized nation! But they, the imperialists and their puppets, are not uncivilized. They are progressive. They have to devour the people's wealth. They have to pillage and plunder! Our nation, from its small children to its elderly, is now making its discontent heard because the people can see their country collapsing before their very eyes; they can see it disintegrating. Instead of the regime heeding the nation's cries, as indeed it ought, we see how people are losing their lives and how their children are being killed, and the regime insists that this is something which it has to do. Therefore it continues to kill. Hence, there you have the current state of affairs in Iran and the way things stand between these powerful governments and ourselves.
We are duty-bound. You and I who are now seated here, have a duty to join the Iranian people in their cries of protest; that is we must do what we can to help them. And in doing so we will actually be helping ourselves and not some outsiders, for the people in Iran have risen up in revolt for your sakes. Their blood is now being spilled for your sakes. It is for you that their children are being killed- their youngsters, their sons and their daughters. We must help these people. We mustn't think that because we are here, abroad, then we are not obliged to help them. Our consciences, our religion, and reason, all oblige us to join the people in their struggle, to offer these oppressed people our support- these people who have risen up in revolt with the intention of claiming what is rightly theirs and what is rightly ours also. We can write an article or have something printed in the press. We can tell the people here, abroad, including those in the universities which we attend, as much as possible about what is happening there in Iran. You are to publicize these issues. My good men, no matter where you may be, each and every one of you must make the situation in Iran known to the public. Speak out and do so from the bottom of your hearts. Even though the newspapers here sometimes write about these issues, this is not good enough; it must come from you- you are the ones who must do the talking or the writing. The whole world must be made aware of this agitated state in which Iran now finds itself.
Iranians will never surrender
If a whole nation stands up and demands its rights, then there is nothing the bayonet can do to stop it. The bayonet is by no means capable of taking on the human flesh in combat. It is a mistake to believe that human flesh alone cannot fight against the bayonet. Once a nation unanimously refuses to do something, even if all the great powers in the world join forces, they cannot force that nation to comply. They cannot now force Iran to accept the Shah; they are simply not able to do this. The Shah has been placed upon the Iranian throne; but the people do not accept him as their ruler. They cry out that they don't want the Shah. None of the people have ever been prepared to consent to this matter. The Iranian people have never, and will never resign themselves to this disgrace, for they have seen how this person has let go of whatever was best for Islam and for the country, while at the same time he has claimed to have granted freedom to the people and to have made the country progress! We can all see for ourselves what is happening in our country; and this is the progress of which he speaks. As for freedom, this he has granted us at the point of a bayonet!
To assist the movement, everyone's duty
We have a duty to do all we can to serve the people in Iran; to help those helpless souls, to help those who have lost their young. We are human beings and must therefore do all we can to serve them. Yet helping them also means helping ourselves, meaning that we along with other Iranians are all partners and all stand to share whatever assets the country may have. Were our country autonomous, were it independent and in a state of calm, then we too would be able to live in calm and comfort for we too are a part of that country. Those in Iran have risen in revolt and we too must follow suit. It is no use making apologies with the excuse of being in Europe or America or wherever, while they who have risen are in Iran. This is no excuse. Although you are abroad those of you who are in America are to assist in this struggle as much as you can; those of you who are in Paris are to assist in this struggle as much as you can; I too, who am here in Paris, am to assist as much as I can. Now, as I am holding an audience with you, I can fulfill my duty by speaking to you and by advising you; and this is something which I shall continue to do. You in turn must speak to your friends, with those who are resident here in Paris, with those who live abroad or wherever; and together you must decide how to help this movement which is under way. Never before has history witnessed a movement like that which is now taking place in Iran. Never before in Iranian history has there been such a movement whereby the whole of Iran has risen up together; where small children have shouted:" Death to the Shah"; where old men have also cried out:" Death to the Shah". No- such a movement has never been witnessed before in Iran. Do not allow this movement to fade away, keep it alive so that we can get rid of those who now rule us, so we can get rid of this governing body and replace it with an honorable, uncorrupt government.
May God Almighty preserve you all; may you be successful. May God Almighty remove this evil from rule over the Muslims; may He remove the evil of these `superpowers' so they will never again appoint their puppets to rule over the Muslim lands (the audience cries" Amen").
Someone in the audience: [" May God preserve you."]
Imam: "May you be successful."